Consolidated version of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union - DECLARATIONS annexed to the Final Act of the Intergovernmental Conference which adopted the Treaty of Lisbon, signed on 13 December 2007 - A. DECLARATIONS CONCERNING PROVISIONS OF THE TREATIES - 31. Declaration on Article 156 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union
Official Journal 115 , 09/05/2008 P. 0348 - 0348
31. Declaration on Article 156 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union The Conference confirms that the policies described in Article 156 fall essentially within the competence of the Member States. Measures to provide encouragement and promote coordination to be taken at Union level in accordance with this Article shall be of a complementary nature. They shall serve to strengthen cooperation between Member States and not to harmonise national systems. The guarantees and practices existing in each Member State as regards the responsibility of the social partners will not be affected. This Declaration is without prejudice to the provisions of the Treaties conferring competence on the Union, including in social matters. --------------------------------------------------